RCMP lay child abuse charges against Parkland couple

Three young Manitoba girls have been rescued after police say they were exposed to horrendous acts of child abuse at the hands of their parents in the Parkland area of Manitoba.

The victims, all under the age of 10, were often starved and locked in their rooms for lengthy periods of time. RCMP say the two older girls were physically and sexually abused and forced to perform sexual acts. Nude photographs were also taken.

Both parents — the biological father and his wife — are now in custody facing a long list of charges. They were to appear in court today in Dauphin.

The exact location of the home will not be released to protect the identity of the children.

Parkland RCMP began to investigate the matter on Aug. 7, after a report of child abuse was occurring in the home and that two girls were being abused physically and sexually by their custodial parents.

The children, along with a younger female sibling, were removed from the home immediately. They are currently in the care of Child and Family Services.

Both parents face charges of sexual assault and a variety of other charges, including make child pornography, assault with a weapon, failure to provide the necessities of life, forcible confinement, corrupting morals, sexual exploitation of a young person, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching.